Gardasil for My Daughter?? Any Advise?

Updated on September 23, 2009
A.T. asks from Olmsted Falls, OH
26 answers

My daughter is 11 and I am seeking advise on if I should have her get the Gardasil vaccine. Im 100% undecided on this issue. There are so many things on the internet that it only confuses me more. Anyone have any thoughts on the subject or personal experience?

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D.E.

answers from Dayton on

http://www.nvic.org/Vaccines-and-Diseases/hpv.aspx

Look @ this website, @ these stories....consider that vaccines do not offer lifelong immunity (if they work @ all)

http://harrismd.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-0...

I don't know if that link will work for you, but it is advice from one of my local ob/gyn docs of why he would not give gardisil to his own daughter... pm me if it won't work and you'd like to read it..

If I could go back and change one thing about the way I've parented my children, it would be to NOT give them vaccines. The side effects are not always immediately apparent and there's no going back once it's done.
Sincerely,
D. E.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Cleveland on

I have 3 daughters, 15, 20 & 26 and all have had the Gardasil vaccine. After they received their shots I also heard different and confusing information regarding the shot so when I went for my own yearly exam I ask my doctor, and not only did he agree that it was a good idea for them to have gotten the shot but that he has boys and will probably be giving them the shot as well. I trust my doctor opinion and because of my own trial with having HPV, I think it was the best thing for me to due for daughters to protect them from what could possible be life threatening.

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D.G.

answers from Columbus on

Two of my nieces got this vaccine and both , have had many new health problems. All relating to thier monthly cycle. I still feel that no one should be vacinated. It just is not a good idea.
Just my opinion.

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K.B.

answers from Columbus on

I personally would not get the vaccine- causes more harm than good. mainly I am talking about side effects and deaths from the vaccine. I have 3 daughters- soon to be 4 and will not be getting them the vaccine. I would look at thinktwice.com as well for info-I do not know for sure if they have it on there yet- because of how new it is. There is also a big debate going on right now about the possibility that the HPV virus may not even cause Cervical Cancer at all. I believe wholeheartedly that the makers of the vaccine and doctors are just in it for the money-because it is very expensive number- and number 2-all the controversy surrounding it. I also think it is just more government control-herding us like sheep!!! Hope this info helps-and I would suggest that website-read all you can to make your decision. I would also e-mail Dr. Neil Miller from thinktwice.com

Take care

2 moms found this helpful
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R.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

I completely agree with the advise given here. My daughter is only 2, but once she is of age, she will not be receiving this vaccination.

Ensuring that our daughters receive regular health care and yearly pap smears is a great defense against cervical cancer. In addition, educating our daughters regarding sexual activity will go a long way in the fight against STD's.

I have done a lot of reading on the subject of vaccinations, and in my opinion this is a superfluous vaccination in which the same results can be achieved through proper medical care and good choices.

2 moms found this helpful

B.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Gardasil protects against cervical cancer, but only because it protects against the sexually transmitted virus that causes it. If your daughter is not sexually active, I wouldn't think she'd need it. And if your daughter IS sexually active at 11 years old, you have more things to worry about than just Gardasil! yikes!

www.thosecrazybeans.blogspot.com

1 mom found this helpful
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P.R.

answers from Indianapolis on

This is a series of 6 injections, it includes a gyn exam. Are you really sure you really even want to consider Gardasil for her at this time?

1 mom found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Cleveland on

A.,
I have two girls 17 & 19 and I will not have them do this. Good communication of course is very important...also providing the body with optimal nutrition, building up the immune system is huge...especially today!

Good Luck in your decision!
A.
www.HopeShared.com

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

My daughter is about to turn 14. She is not sexually active. I do not plan to get the vaccine for her. I don't know the long term side effects. We have a great relationship (for now) and I hope she would confide in me if she were considering sexual activity.

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D.A.

answers from Springfield on

I will let you know that I am in the same boat and have serious concerns myself. However, I will tell you that I was very concerned about DD's pediatric visit at about 11 (she is now 14) because I thought the vaccination would be pushed on us, but the pediatrician was a great resource too. She agreed that we should wait a little bit to decide. Don't be afraid to discuss your concerns with your pediatrician.

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T.R.

answers from Columbus on

A.,

Please talk to your pediatrician to get the facts, looking at the these responses there is a lot of misinformation. I have 3 daughters 14,18 & 21 and I had all three vaccinated. HPV is very wide spread and although it is not cancer, it puts you at higher risk for cervical cancer, oh and let's not forget vaginal warts. This vaccine is recommended for girls BEFORE they become sexually active. HPV is generally transmitted by the male and condoms do not protect against HPV. The majority of the female population has already contracted HPV, but there are many stands and the vaccine is targeted at the 3 or 4 high cancer risk stands. There are risk with any vaccine, but over the years vaccines have proven to be valuable to our health. It is also worth mentioning that this vaccine is effective in women at any age (if not already infected). The market is targeted up to age 25 to hopefully protect the population BEFORE they get HPV. If it was all about money they would market to all ages.

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K.E.

answers from Columbus on

This article helped me a lot. I had not planned on giving my daughter the vaccine and this solidified that decision.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment...

Below is a quote from the article and an issue that I don't think the general public knows.

Dr. Joseph Zanga, chief of pediatrics at the Columbus Regional Healthcare System in Columbus, Ga states: "Perhaps the most important, currently missing 'warning' is that the vaccine may not be forever," Zanga said. "We know that it protects for 5-7 years so that a girl getting the series at [age] 11-12 will enter the time of her most likely sexual debut unprotected but believing herself to be."

I would definitely read all you can and listen to the physician who has posted below. I'm just not willing to let my daughter be the guinea pig. In 10 years when I know more and she's 19, we can revisit this topic.

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P.K.

answers from Cleveland on

My 15 year old daughter did get the 3 shots worth. I will tell you, as the nurses told her, the shot hurts very much. Except for the ouchy at the shot site she had no reactions to the 1st 2 shots. The 3rd and final sure made up for it. She had a nasty reaction; fever, aches, etc for 3 days. I wonder if I did the right thing?

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C.D.

answers from Canton on

Gosh you have gotten a lot of responses. My two cents regarding this was when I saw it come out was, " it will have a ten yr study before my daughter is old enough"
I am skeptical about a lot of newer mefications. No one knows the long term effect this may have on our children. I am skeptical about the new swine flu vacinne but I take the regular flu shot every year ( I work in the healthcare industry).
That being said. Not only fo you have to wrigh the pros and cons (some still unknown). You should also consider how much of this is marketing to our fears as parents.
I sm glad you are doing research on this as clearly from the number of responses it is a hot topic
I would also look to see what the NIH has to say about this and what studies have been done
good luck. There is no clear wrong or right answer which makes this a dillemna all the more difficult.

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R.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I have a daughter who is now 14 and I decided against. For one, there are too many possible side effects, could ruin your daughter for life. Then again, think about it.... a vaccination to prevent cervical cancer??? Prevention of cancer is more link to lifestyle practices. Can we practice some common sense?

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M.L.

answers from Columbus on

I have advice. DO NOT GIVE IT TO HER! When Gardasil first was being advertised I read through the "studies" and found it horrifying that our government was allowing drug companies to market this to young, still developing girls. There are already cases of death and severe side effects that were "unintended" Just because our government is willing to sell their stamp of approval does not mean you should too. Do the research yourself and then decide but no matter what you do NEVER listen to the advertisers. Your daughters health is too important!

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M.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

It is a vaccine; like any vaccine it is to prevent a disease. I vote yes. You are not giving your daughter permission to have sex, to be promiscuous, etc. You are simply preventing a disease.

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J.R.

answers from Columbus on

Hi A. -

I think you are fortunate that your daughter is young and you can wait a bit to decide this. However, my sister-in-law left it up to my nieces - she was against it for the reason of the newness etc. My niece was 18 last year before she went to college and she decided she wanted it after she did her own research. I have another niece who is now 17. I do not know if she has made her decision. But I think she will be before she goes to college. Perhaps you can wait and research for awhile and then when you take your daughter for her first "female" appt the three of you can discuss it.

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P.D.

answers from Cleveland on

My husband and I decided NOT to vaccinate our daughter for this one because we feel this vaccine is too new. It might look ok now, but 20 years from now we could find out that it causes cancer or infertility. We have never skipped any vaccines with any of our kids so believe me this was a tough decision. I am praying that we made the right choice here. Good luck!

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M.K.

answers from Cincinnati on

Although I have 2 boys, I have done quite a bit of research on the Gardasil vaccine (I have a 6 yr old niece). I would advise against it. Here is a great article: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/0...

Whatever you decide, please take your time and do your own research.

Do you have a website for your home biz? I need to paint both of our boy's bedrooms and have really struggled with choosing colors.

Thanks! Blessings:)

M.
www.Healthy-Job.com

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E.W.

answers from Cleveland on

There are risks for everything. I will not be getting the vaccine for my daughter. I have one son on the Autism spectrum and another son with ADHD. How do I know that it wasn't caused by something in the vaccine. My daughter already has health issues. I do not want to add to it more. I had read that it is there because kids are more sexually active at a young age. I have tried to instill values into my kids but also explain to them if they choose to try something that there are always consequences. It may be tinged with fear but pregnancy and STD's are real and nothing to laugh at. I would rather teach my kids how to live and make the right choices than make them believe there is a fix for everything and don't worry and don't think about what you are doing.

http://drtenpenny.com/default.aspx

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S.B.

answers from Columbus on

A. - I'm so thrilled that you are not just "jumping on the bandwagon" and actually taking control of health care for your family. I just listened to a call on Swine Flu vaccines last night and I am DEEPLY disturbed by the GREED associated with over-medicating / over-vaccinating / over-everything with our children. And... I'm not just buying into the line "they wouldn't give it to you if it wasn't good for you". That is a joke in every sense of the word! Anyway, back to the point - there is a call on the Gardasil vaccination in a few weeks - here is the info -

Greetings from the Wellness Forum!

How well informed are you about H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine and other flu vaccines? How safe is the vaccine? Can the government mandate this vaccine? What are your rights as parents?


This is a special announcement to inform you of important educational opportunities offered by the Wellness Forum. Free educational conference calls are a normal part of our membership program, but given the importance of these matters we are offering these calls to the general public. Before you have that next flu shot or before you expose your family to the latest vaccine, find out what your doctor is not telling you. Find out how many girls have died from the Gardasil vaccine. Are the benefits of these vaccines worth the risks?
Find out the answers to these questions and more!

New ~ Special Event Conference calls
Free for members; $10 non-members

What you don’t know can hurt you! Make educated decisions when it comes to your family’s health. Don’t miss these two important updates.

Swine Flu and Vaccines
Thursday, September 17 9:00PM Eastern

Gardasil Vaccine
Thursday, October 15 9:00PM Eastern

Call Kathy Dodson at 614- 841-770 to reserve your seat for these calls,
or e-mail me at ____@____.com <mailto:____@____.com>

Please pass this information on to others, especially those with kids!

Kathy Dodson, CWC
Wellness Forum Consultant
###-###-####

Good luck! And... if your mothering instincts are telling you it is not a good choice for your daughter - you are probably right and the best person to make that decision.

S.

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M.C.

answers from Cleveland on

I personally won't be getting that vaccine for my daughter when she reaches her teenage years. I have heard some disturbing things, side effects, that make me nervous. Like coma, for one. I suggest you research it yourself, because I can't recall all of the side effects right now.

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M.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

Sounds like maybe I'm in the minority of the respondents to your question, but both my 15 and 12 year old daughters had the series of 3 shots (my girls had ONLY a series of 3 shots each and NO gyn exam). Neither one of them had any reaction at all. My 12 year old said the shot hurt, but was fine within 5 minutes of being given the shot. I'd do it again for both of them.

S.M.

answers from Columbus on

Personally I am against it, but I don't have a daughter yet! She can still choose to get the vaccine until she is 26 years old, so you don't need to rush into anything. My biggest concern is how little they know about the long-term effects. I'm sure you've read a lot of horror stories already, but nothing is conclusive either way. You might want to talk to your OB-GYN if you trust his/her opinion.

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N.N.

answers from Columbus on

I had my daughter vacinated. It is a series of 3 injections spaced 2 months apart. She had no reaction to the first one, so I plan to go ahead with the second. If this can save my daughter some pain in her life, I will do it gladly. Once you find that your daughter is sexually active, it is probably too late.

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